Referee recordings ‘still a long way off’, says FA chairman David Bernstein

FA chairman David Bernstein says it will be a long time before conversations between referees and players are recorded despite the
Mark Clattenburg controversy.

Allegations against Mark Clattenburg have led to calls for referees to be recorded during matches (Picture PA)

Former top-flight referee Keith Hackett believes the change would resolve allegations of misconduct like those levelled at Clattenburg, but Bernstein said it would need to go before world governing body Fifa or rule-making body IFAB for the proposals to be implemented.

‘The process would be long and meticulous,’ he said. ‘One of the great things about IFAB is that it doesn’t make changes too quickly.

‘Given what’s happened recently, we should have an open mind about it and it should definitely be looked at.’

Hackett told the Observer: ‘I would have no problem with fans having the ability to purchase a “Ref!Link” to listen in to what the match officials are saying.

‘I would like to see a referee-coach at the ground able to listen in to the team of officials.

‘And given what has happened in the last few days and, with no knee-jerk reaction, I would like to conversations between the match officials for the full duration of the game recorded.’